Union still debating whether to accept owner meeting

• Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold says he doesn't 'want any part of' meeting
• Rangers chairman James Dolan wants to be involved
• $10,000 stipend authorized for players

The NHL Players Association as of Saturday evening still hadn't made a final decision about whether to accept Commissioner Gary Bettman's invitation for players and owners to meet without the presence of league or union officials.

"We are talking," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said. "No clear answer at this point."

Bettman floated the idea Thursday after two days of mediation failed to lead to any progress toward ending the 77-day-old lockout. The players have been talking about Bettman's suggestion since then, primarily concerned about which owners and players will be there and what the format would be.

Players have some concerns about being in what could be considered a negotiating session without their chief negotiator, Donald Fehr.

"I'm not going to be there," Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jordan Leopold, the Sabres' union representative, told the Olean (N.Y.) Times Herald. "I don't want any part of it."

He added: "I think it's funny we have Don Fehr on our side. After two years, he seems to get under the owners' skin. They want to remove one-for-one. I don't know where this will lead us. It's an interesting concept."

New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist said on Twitter this week that he would like to see more owners from major markets get involved in negotiations.

On Saturday, USA TODAY Sports confirmed that Rangers owner James Dolan wants to be involved, a story that was first reported by Larry Brooks of the New York Post.

Dolan was an integral member of the NBA owners' negotiating team that reached a deal with NBA players last fall.

Meanwhile, former NHL player Aaron Ward, now a TSN analyst, reported on Twitter that the NHLPA is authorizing a $10,000 payment to all players. Players missed their fourth paycheck on Friday.

Other than the fruitless meetings with U.S. Federal Mediation and Conciliation officials, owners and players have not had a formal negotiation session since Nov. 21. The two sides are $182 million apart on the major economic issue, but there is a major gap in their views on individual contracting rights.

The NHL has canceled games through Dec. 14, plus the Winter Classic in Ann Arbor, Mich., and the All-Star Game in Columbus, Ohio.

Owners are scheduled to gather for their annual board of governors meeting in New York on Wednesday.